Oklahoma City, OK – November 18, 2013- The 2013 American
Quarter Horse (AQHA) World Championship Show featured 3,401 entries, a
total purse more than $2.4 million, riders from 49 states and 7
countries, and the best Reiners in the business. From November 8-23,
equestrians competed in halter, english, and western disciplines. For
the first time in history, on November 15, the Para-Equestrian
discipline Para-Reining was demonstrated in the Performance Arena at the
State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.

USA Reining and the United States
Para-Equestrian Association, in cooperation with the AQHA and National
Reining Horse Association (NRHA) made the unprecedented Para-Reining
demonstration possible. Debuting the discipline were three
Para-Equestrians that have made their mark in the Para-Dressage world.
Those athletes included two-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart, U.S. Air
Force veteran Derrick Perkins, and Para-Dressage rider Frederick Win.

Alongside these equestrians was experienced AQHA rider Reyna Nicole
Taylor. All four riders were judged by FEI 4* Reining judge Joe Carter
from Canada. The Para-Reining demonstration was a chance for spectators,
organizers, and current and potential athletes to experience
Para-Reining on an international platform. This event was the launch pad
for the 2014 development year and 2015 and beyond international
Para-Reining competition.

Rebecca Hart, Derrick Perkins, and Frederick Win were invited into
the Reining discipline never experiencing the sport in their life.
World-class trainers and athletes donated their time and their
high-performance Reining horses over two days to educate, coach, and
develop the three dressage riders into competitive reining horses. As
the Quarter Horse breed is known for, or as trainer Josh Visser put it,
“The Labrador Retriever of the horse world,” these top equines showcased
their athletic skill, intelligence, and ability to adapt.

Fellow Para-Dressage rider, Rebecca Hart has excelled in the Dressage
world both in able-bodied and as a Para-Dressage athlete. The moment
she sat on 4 year-old Zins Smart Wrangler, donated by Pete and Tamara
Kyle and owned by Pat Moore, she was ready. Within 15 minutes 2010 FEI
#1 Ranked Reiner, Hart’s coach for the event, Lisa Coulter of Canada,
was impressed with Hart’s natural Reining ability.

Hart appreciated working with a talented individual like Coulter and
the feeling was returned on demonstration day. Coulter noted, “I loved
working with Rebecca. She made me feel inspired. I felt the importance
of this event was revealed when Rebecca’s face lit up when she did her
spins. I was thinking, ‘Now that’s what it’s all about.’ It’s that
feeling you can’t replace. There is a certain thrill to Reining which
includes power and yet control.”

On demonstration day Hart took the reins and dominated the Level 3
Reining pattern . Hart’s highlights within the pattern were her
variations of speed on her right lead circles, her roll backs, and her
spins both right and left.

Hart commented, “I had a blast during the demonstration. I loved how
the audience really got into my performance and they were very
supportive. In fact, the whole Reining community has been supportive,
which is a wonderful feeling. I enjoyed riding Pete Kyle’s 4 year-old;
he was lovely. He never even thought about my legs on him and was a
fantastic athlete. There was a lot to think about coming from Dressage.
Each discipline is similar in some aspects but fundamentally different
in others.”

She continued, “I really want to thank Pete and Tamara Kyle and Pat
Moore for Zins Smart Wrangler. They had no idea who I was and brought
this wonderful four year-old that they have been training. Without them,
their team, Lisa Coulter and everyone involved with Pete, this would
not have gone as well. Finally, I want to thank everyone at the 2013
AQHA World Championships including the entire staff at USA Reining. This
show is well organized, Brad Ettleman is amazing, and I really want to
thank USA Reining, AQHA and NRHA for including us. If this opportunity
arises again in the future it is definitely something I would be game to
do again. What a great trip to Oklahoma City.”

Oklahoma City, OK - November 14, 2013- Para-Reining will debut at the 2013 AQHA World Championship Show Friday, November 15, 2013 . Para-Dressage athletes Rebecca Hart, Frederick Win, and Derrick Perkins will saddle up for a day of Para-Reining. Viewers who are unable to attend in person may watch the Live Broadcast of the Para-Reining Debut by clicking here.(https://replays.robertsstream.com/racereplays/cust/aqha/wcs/vidcast/) The live stream costs only $4.95 for 24 hours of viewing. Para-Reining will follow the Senior Reining - CRI* which begins at 9:00 a.m. central time. The reining CRI* is a preliminary event to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

The Para-Reining demonstration is the launching of efforts to bring the discipline online as a fully recognized sport in 2014. USA Reining and USPEA together with the AQHA and NRHA are proud to welcome an American hero to our ranks of Para-Reining competitors.

For more information about he USA Reining/USPEA Para-Reining Clinic and Demonstration Class at the AQHA World Championship Show, including schedule, entry form and more, email: Brad@HPowerInc.com

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

2013 is coming to a close, and it's time to step back and appreciate all the accomplishments of this past year. I have had an excellent year at Blue Hill Farm, with the opportunities to ride and train quite a mix of horses, as well as being promoted to assistant trainer!

I've been competing Hugh Knows, owned by Stonehall Farm in Middleburg VA, at Second Level to prepare him for a career as a Para-equestrian mount. He is a great competition partner that always puts in a good test and finishes at the top of his classes.

This spring I had some fun starting Rue La La, a 13.3h pony owned by the Thomas Geno Syndicate. She is a fantastic jumper, and could power around the Novice level cross country, having a blast. She has tons of scope and will make a very competitive eventer or show jumper.

I also started Danny, a 14h TB Welsh cross owned by Lisa Thomas ( our fabulous website designer), for her daughter Kendal. Danny is an adorable pony who shows much potential for dressage, eventing, or the show hunters. The future looks very bright for Kendal and Danny, and I'm proud and excited to be a part of it.

This fall I have been asked to ride Margarita, a warmblood mare owned by Elizabeth Bareis, with plans to campaign her at Third Level. She is a very nice dressage horse, and I look forward to the chance to compete her.

Also in the barn is Woody, the lovely little warmblood horse from England owned by Pari Nurrish. Woody is a very talented dressage horse that I have had the pleasure of schooling while Pari has been arranging her big move from England back in to the states!

I have also been fortunate to ride for Seema Sonnad for the past few years on two of her horses, Cole and Solo SWF. Last year we sold Cole, a little horse I brought up to Training Level in eventing, in order to buy Solo SWF. Although very brave at eventing, we made the decision that he was much more talented as a show jumper, so I now have the opportunity to to show the HITS circuit in Ocala this winter! The plan is to gain confidence jumping around 1.20m before putting him on the market to find an upper level event prospect.

Solo SWF

This has been quite a big year for myself and Carlingford Taldi, an Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Jessica Ransehousen. Due to an unfortunate accident that ended his upper level eventing career with Missy, Taldi started his new life as a dressage horse a few year ago. I was lucky enough to get the ride on him and we've moved up the levels together. This fall at HITS Saugerties, we both made a successful debut at Prix St Georges together. The scores keep improving each time we go out, and we are preparing for our first CDI in 2014.

Carlingford Taldi

I now have earned my bronze and silver USDF medals, and can say that I am an FEI level rider. I know it would not have been possible without all the support from the team at Blue Hill Farm. Missy and Jessica have been so generous with their horses and time, and it's a privilege to train for them. Jessica has been my mentor for the past 5 years, and I am excited to take on my goals for 2014 with her help and support!